I have been contemplating about fixing my hair in Korea but I was afraid of venturing into unchartered waters and I had no idea where to do it. It was our last day here and I finally decided to give it a go.
"W Hair ok? C'mon let's go no time to hesitate," he pulled me into the first salon we saw in Myeongdong. The staff were dressed smartly and looked professional. Hairdressers call themselves designers here. It's a more respectable profession here than back home. We told them what we want (they speak a little bit of English) and agreed on the price.
They washed my hair and gave me a magazine that I can't read.
We were mindful of the time as we needed to catch a flight in the late afternoon.
Steaming my hair in the background while the ladies attended to another customer.
Meanwhile, he went out and helped me grab whatever last minute stuff I need to get.
3 hours later....
The ladies did a great job. I was very satisfied and pleased with the result.
Designer didn't look very happy bcos we bargained too much lol.
Supposed to board the plane at 4pm but we were late and not allowed to check in. Oh why did we miss our flight again...!
Not much appetite for bibimbap after the run.
We heard there's a spa and sauna place in the airport where everybody sleeps together in a common area. My first thought was are we supposed to soak in the water overnight?
I went into the ladies changing room in search of my locker number and was taken aback by sagging breasts and naked bodies sitting in front of the dressing tables!
Is this worse than a mixed-dorm?
Next morning, we checked in at 11.30am. Seats secured!
(Imagine running for your life with all those bags!)
Long overdue birthday present for my best friend finally settled!
Hot chocolate was awesome
No chance to make use of free wi-fi
This time we are really going home :(
Back in Seoul
You know it's time to go home when you find yourself grabbing 2 huge bottles of citron tea (2 kg), 1 bag of kimchi (1 kg), 2 bags of kaktugi (1 kg) and other miscellaneous items for people back home.
Lugged the 5 kg of grocery on our backs searching for food near the train station. After a lousy dinner at Andong, we made sure lunch better be good.
Budae-tchigae - spicy hot stew with sausages, vegetables and ramen was shiok!
Last chance to visit the places not in our itinerary but we've been thinking of going at the back of our minds.
We have been passing by Donhwamun several times. Today I finally entered the palace.
Injeong-jeon was used for holding important state events. It's flashed for a second in the introduction of the Amazing Race before the show starts.
Nakseon-jae (top) was built for the king's concubine. It was not painted in the traditional dancheong (丹青) colours unlike the rest of the buildings within the palace.
Cheongsachorong was featured as the logo of the 2010 G20 Seoul Summit.
The beauty of Changdeokgung lies in the blend of classic palace architecture with nature.
The kings particularly loved the spacious and beautiful garden at the back. The colours were spectacular from the outside. Unfortunately, we didn't get to visit the rear garden as it was closed. So disappointed.
Birthday dinner at Hongdae's Pizzahut was supposed to be joyous but dread started setting in. The day was coming to an end and that means we have to go home tomorrow.
The university district is littered with cafes and small boutiques selling expensive items. Even roadside stalls refuse to accept bargains.
This is probably the only shop that is reasonably priced.
Went back with a tiramisu cake from Paris Baguette
Alas, all good things must come to an end. Pls let me return to Narnia-realm soon...
Hahoe (pronounce as ha-hway) village reminds me of Beijing's Cuandixia. Totally. Three quarter museum, one quarter residence. Check out the Chinese couplets on the doors and the playground. Instead of corn, they grow cabbage
and oranges which they never get to eat bcos they're too high up on the trees!
The yangban (nobility) lived in tiled-roof houses
while the sangmin (commoners) stayed in thatched ones.
When the Queen visited Hahoe in 1999, the whole village was there to welcome her.
Today, residents are less responsive to visitors. I'm guilty for taking part in this massive intrusion called tourism, depriving them of peace and privacy. No one likes to live under scrutiny.
The folk playground is a fun way to learn about traditional games.
Battle of the sexes on the nol-ttwigi (Korean seesaw)
Remember the happy times playing with your classmates in school? Those were the days~
Tuho (投壶) originated from China. During the Era of the Warring States, kings often invite guests to a game of archery. Tuho was an alternative or substitute to archery for men (scholars especially) who were not good with bow and arrows. Gradually the game became a form of entertainment during banquets.
Yi Hwang was an avid player of the game. The arrows and pot are also also featured on the 1,000W note along with his portrait.
Parents laugh as their frustrated daughter slots the arrow into the pot.
At least children go home knowing what's a swing, not just computers and iphones.
We're going to watch the mask dance!
Both the dance and the wooden masks have been designated as national cultural properties.
Changseung (carved wooden statues) are placed near the entrance of the village or houses to ward off evil spirits. Do visit the mask museum before the performance for an introduction of the mask characters.
Tourists were kept occupied with decorating their own masks as they wait for the show to begin. Again, value add service provided by tour groups.
The characters were well played but the performance can get a bit boring for foreigners as the story line was narrated (through dialogue in Korean) rather than enacted towards the end. The mask dance was originally performed as a social satire by the commoners to poke fun at the yangban. Interesting context.
Applause for the group of performers who are obliged to pass down their skills to the next generation.
Hanging my wish on the 600 year old tree
While the commoners engaged in mask dance, scholars recite poems from boats on the Nakdong River. When each poem is completed, a fireball is dropped from the Buyongdae cliff down into the river.
The fastest (but not the only) way to get across the river is via this boat. The boatman must be the richest person in the village. His boat operates at maximum capacity for every trip he makes.
On top of Buyongdae cliff, we bade goodbye to Andong. Enriching and rewarding trip :)
